Woman, 18, is mugged by gang on way home
ATEENAGER was mugged and assaulted by a woman as she was walking near the skatepark below Marine Way Bridge on Marine Parade.
Bethany Benzeval, 18, had just finished work at JD Wetherspoon around 7.45pm on Thursday, January 23 when she came across a group of four people – three male and one female.
The woman, described as about 20 years old, 5ft 4in, with short, dark hair and wearing an Adidas tracksuit and blue Nike trainers, grabbed Bethany, punched her in the face and stole her cash.
The incident left Bethany with scratches and swelling on her face.
She said: “I was walking to McDonald’s to get some food after work and my pinny was hanging out of my pocket – which must have looked like a purse from behind.
“Someone grabbed me and when I turned round the woman punched me in the face when my phone dropped and kept kicking me. I don’t know who she was and she ran off with the group of lads she was with.”
A man, who Bethany believes is called Lewis, intervened and helped her, causing the gang to flee.
She said: “I’d like to get in touch with this person who helped me. He was around 50 to 60 years old and was wearing a farmer’s cap, woolly coat, smart shoes and smart pants.”
The incident was not reported to police at the time but was on Saturday February 1 and inquiries have since been carried out.
Merseyside police have now appealed for anyone with any information about the incident to come forward.
Community Policing Inspector Graham Fisher said: “I’d firstly like to encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses any crime to call police immediately, and on 999 if a crime is in progress.
“It’s imperative that we can see the victim is safe and well, and to assess what has happened. And the quicker we are told, the better opportunity we have to investigate and gather evidence.
“Were you in the area of Marine Parade around 7.45pm on this evening and remember seeing a group of three males and one female hanging around, or the incident itself? You might have seen such a group previously and thought little of it at the time.
“This appears to have been a completely unprovoked assault in which the victim has cash stolen from her, and we’re determined to find those responsible and put them before the courts. CCTV, dash-cam or mobile phone footage of these people could be vital in our inquiries.”
Information can p=be passed via @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 20000068650.